Alumni performs with Sam Ryder and Justin Hawkins on New Year
Former student Lewis Allen performed at the New Year's Eve party celebration bringing in the bells for 2023. He's always keeping busy with regular performances and uploading a whole pelethora of content on his YouTube channel so if you're looking for tips, tricks, shredz? You certainly need to view his channel
AMS Online Alumnus Features on Hogwarts Legacy
Former AMS Online Alumnus (Nicole Pinnell) features on the new Harry Potter game 'Hogwarts Legacy' due for release late February 2023. It's always great to hear from former students that are able to share their successes after moving on and we wish the very best for Nicole and her future endeavors.
Nicole mentions: Also, I wrote a solo cello album for Warner Brothers this summer (not yet released). I have been hired to play 6 weeks of solo shows in Europe in 2023. Other great happenings too. My career is going up for sure. Thanks for all the good work at AMS. Eugene has helped with this immensely, so thank you again for allowing me to have him as my mentor for AMS.
Warner Bros. Games and Avalanche Software released today an orchestral music video to “Overture to the Unwritten” set over original gameplay footage from the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy game which is scheduled to be released on February 10, 2023. Players will experience life as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like never before, as they live the unwritten and embark on a dangerous journey to uncover a hidden truth of the wizarding world.
“Overture to the Unwritten” features local studio musicians from Avalanche Software’s home state, Utah, including choir and orchestral members from the University of Utah, BYU, Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra and featuring renowned recording artists Nicole Pinnell, Nicole Klossner, Ryan Shupe, Abe Kaelin, Bart Olson, John Knudsen and Dune Moss. The video, filmed on location at big idea music studios in Sandy, Utah and Media Grabbers in North Salt Lake City, Utah, features the original composition by composers chuck e. myers “sea”, J. Scott Rakozy and Peter Murray and performed by a 54-piece orchestra conducted by Nathan Hofheins.
Projected behind the orchestra and interspliced throughout the music video, the original gameplay footage traverses throughout the Hogwarts Castle and the expansive surrounding areas including Hogsmeade, to reveal the vastness of the world. The orchestral song conjures a magical melody reminiscent of the Wizarding World fans are accustomed to while evoking an older descant from ancient lore.
As of today, fans are now able to stream or digitally purchase “Overture to the Unwritten.” All of the additional music from Hogwarts Legacy will be available on launch day on the Hogwarts Legacy (Original Video Game Soundtrack). Additionally, songs from Hogwarts Legacy will be featured on a second album titled, Hogwarts Legacy (Study Themes From the Original Video Game Soundtrack), an album focusing on more ambient, chill, relaxing music that is ideal to listen to while studying for classes at Hogwarts or any school. Both albums will be released by WaterTower Music and will be available at all digital streaming services.
To view and share the Hogwarts Legacy – Orchestral Music video
Next Start Date February 2023
Our popular online music programmes have two start points each year and the next one is approaching in February 2023!
Places on our Foundation Degree Music & Sound, BA Hons Top Up Music & Sound and also the Post Graduate Masters in Music & Sound are all available.
Courses are delivered 100% online.
No need to visit a campus or attend any lectures.
The support for your programme is 1:1 via video call at a time to suit you, all you need to provide is the internet connection, a space to work and the right mindset.
Our programmes are validated and supported by The University of West London, one of the top Universities in the UK.
To learn more, why not attend our open Q and A session on Thursday December 15th?
Our advisors will open a Zoom room specifically for those interested in AMS online courses and can answer your questions there.
Register your interest by following the link HERE>
See you there!
AMS Partner University Ranks Highly in the Times
AMS are delighted to share excellent news on behalf of our partnership University, University of West London. UWL has been named “University of the year for Teaching Quality” and “University of the Year for Student Experience” in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
UWL are now ranked in the top ten universities in London and has risen to an impressive 40th place in these latest national rankings.
This is the first time that both awards have been given to one university in the same year, and it is also the second time in the last three years that UWL has received the student experience accolade.
Receiving these two awards is a tremendous achievement and one that perfectly captures the ethos of UWL as a university. We are proud to work along side UWL to deliver a high quality of teaching and support across all our campuses and online as part of The Academy of Music and Sound.
The University of West London shared the following statement on their great news:
“Our students are at the heart of everything we do and that is why we have a relentless focus on delivering the best possible student experience so that they may thrive and achieve the success they deserve. It is gratifying to have that effort recognised with this latest accolade for student experience. This comes on the back of our successful National Student Survey results earlier in the year.”
Our Fast-Track scheme to get ahead in 2021
Out of music work? Lost out on gigging? Now more than ever, might just be the perfect time for musicians to hop onto a flexible online music course, a chance to expand existing skills and get ahead of the game when things open up again.
At AMSonline, we understand that for many aspiring musicians, time is precious and juggling aspirations with life’s other responsibilities can be a challenge. Through a unique Fast-Track process, AMSonline saves students valuable time by rewarding hard work and real-life experiences and mapping these against the earlier years of an Online BA (Hons) course.
This means FAST-TRACK entry into the final year of the BA (Hons) qualification. Students may achieve a BA (Hons) degree in as little as 2 Semesters full-time (26 weeks) or 3 Semesters part-time (39 weeks), without the need for formal prior qualifications.
Anyone with extensive experience (5yrs+) as a performer, songwriter, producer, publisher, tour manager, artist representation, audio engineer, festival organiser, business owner, composer, teacher, and many others professions and occupations, is welcome to apply for the scheme. All relevant experience can count towards Fast-Tracking.
For anyone interested in developing a career in formal teaching, achieving a BA(Hons) is a must-have step in gaining a postgraduate certificate of education. Having an honours degree could also help you progress much more quickly to M.Mus level, which you may need for a variety of careers in the industry such as Music Therapy.
A message from Principal:
We believe that this presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the music business to up- skill and be able to add a potential new income stream to their earnings as a musician. Perhaps, at a time when the music business has been hit harder than most through the pandemic, it is important to ignore Government advice to re-train as a plumber or some-such but instead to add to an existing musical skill set. All Participants are eligible for a Student Loan to cover the tuition fees providing they meet the criteria.
Please come aboard and join us. Is it time your Music Industry experience was recognised Academically and helped provide real options for your future?
Steve Ryan
Principal, The Academy of Music and Sound
Frequently Asked Questions
About Applying
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Delivery
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Finance
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Fast Track
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
About Certification
Find out more about the short courses available in the upcoming semester at our Scotland centres. Our short courses focus on sound production, music business, hip-hop and rap and much, much more. This semester all short courses have been adapted for Online delivery rather than in-centre. For more information please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Edinburgh – [email protected]
Glasgow – [email protected]
Sign up to attend a course here.
Our HNC in Music is the first year of our HND in Music, available as an independent qualification but designed to be followed-up with our HND. Partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), it is a 1-year course suitable for all musical disciplines and instruments. Curated and delivered by music professionals, it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state of the art teaching & rehearsal rooms, mac suites, recording studios and a team of professional tutors. By the end of the HNC students will be qualified to start straight on our HND (+ 1 year).
Our HND is a full-time, pathway-specific course partially funded by SAAS (Scotland), suitable for all disciplines. A 2-year course encompassing our HNCas its first year. Curated and delivered by professionals and accredited by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) it is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both centres boast state-of-the-art teaching & rehearsal rooms, MAC suites, recording studios and a team of dedicated tutors. Our unique draw has always been supporting students with their chosen pathway and this year we are thrilled to be offering Hip-Hop for the first time.
Curated for, and by, modern musicians.
All our tutors work in music and the course is delivered by and written by professionals. With that comes community, common goals and an immediate industry focus you won’t get elsewhere. Get serious about your music with our HND.
Gain a full Honours Degree and consolidate your practice. Eligible for student finance, designed for musicians of all disciplines.
Equivalent to the 3rd year of a degree, this flexible top-up year is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Music & Sound, but would also suit any applicants studying a music related HND, Foundation Degree or indeed those with relevant and recognised industry experience.
Validated by the University of West London, the course is developed to reflect developments the modern music industry, and allows students to take the next step up in the practice and study. Students will learn the skills to become independent, multi-skilled music practitioners, fluent with various forms of multi-media and develop an awareness of the various careers available in the music industry. We provide the time, space and the opportunity to develop your own sound and work on your material alongside gaining valuable vocational skills. The course is available at any of our regional centres or you can study it online.
Our next intake of students will start on 15 February!
We're so excited to be welcoming a host of new students to AMSonline next month, who will be joining us to start on our online courses like the Foundation Degree, BA (Hons) and M.Mus in Popular Music Performance.
It comes after we saw record levels of students join AMSonline courses in September 2020. Despite Covid, we've been lucky enough to run our courses as usual, with all the regular content, seminars and tutorials, with little interruption!
Whilst most of standard university and college teaching in the UK and elsewhere had to adapt to online delivery in 2020, and is still going on, its perhaps unsurprising that musicians and those interested in studying music, might chose more established online learning platforms at this time.
“In a funny way I never thought my choice to study online in 2018 would eventually be the only choice most students have all around the country. In hard struck times of COVID, I barely felt it negatively impacted my course at all.”
“I would just like to say thank you more than anything for the help I had over my foundation degree!”
George Chambers, student
But that's not to say we've not been impacted by Covid-19 – everyone has felt the impact, and while we might be able to run courses as usual, the year has been a challenging one for us all. But we have good reason so hope that live musicianship can continue very soon! And we're planning on being ready when it does.
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More news from us here.
We just relaunched our Instagram! Check it out.
AMS online partner with Sound City
The Academy of Music and Sound and AMSonline will be partnering with Liverpool Sound City on a series of exclusive online masterclasses.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be partnering with Liverpool based conference and music festival Sound City on a collaboration which includes a programme of exclusively curated masterclasses focused on employability, industry skills, and careers in the music sector, exclusively for AMS staff and students.
Sound City said of the partnership, “Sound City’s core aim is to help the very best in upcoming talent and with many university courses now competing for attention and so many graduates looking for work, its vital that students set themselves above the competition and make their mark in the industry! Sound City has started a partnership with the Academy of Music and Sound with the primary aim of improving their students music industry skills and employability.”
The first of a series of Masterclass will take place Tuesday 1 December at 7pm via Guesthouse, and will be an interview Band Manager Alfie Skelly on ‘How To Build A Bands Music Profile’
Alfie Skelly has worked in the industry for over 15 years working with the likes of The Coral and Arctic Monkeys. He currently manages The Mysterines (Pretty Face Recordings) and The Lathums ( Island Records) who both had sold-out UK tours, among others including Abbie Ozard, through Modern Sky Record label. The talk will span all things managerial, including how Alfie has built up the profiles of both The Lathums and The Mysterines. Alife will discuss how he gets them gigs, how he lands artists record deals, publishing deals and tours, plus he will talk about how he markets and promotes the bands.
We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this to our students and staff! And with a whole host of exciting masterclasses and talks coming up, we’re sure it’s going to be a thrilling time for online learning.
About Sound City
Globally-recognised Sound City, the leading champion of emerging UK talent, is set to return bigger and better than ever in 2021 – With three full days of music discovery right across the city of Liverpool, Headline acts this year include Rejjie Snow, Red Rum Club and The Murder Capital.”
Report shows huge growth of UK Music Industry prior to COVID-19
The latest Music By Numbers economic study has shown that the UK music industry continued to grow in 2019 across every sector before the Covid-enforced shutdown hit in early 2020.
Music By Numbers is the flagship annual economic study by UK Music and its members. Recent numbers show that the UK music sector was facing significant growth, with employment at an all-time high, prior to the impact of COVID-19.
The new figures in the Music By Numbers 2020 report show the 12 months up to December 31 2019, and they do not reflect the devastating impact of the Covid-19 just weeks later in early 2020. “Despite the buoyant 2019 figures outlined in Music By Numbers, the industry now faces a marathon effort to get back on its feet as it strives to return to pre-Covid levels of success as swiftly as possible”, says UK Music.
The report measures the health of the music business by collating data about its contribution in goods and services to the economy. That economic contribution is known as Gross Value Added (GVA), to the UK’s national income (Gross Domestic Product/GDP). Exports are part of this contribution.
Some key facts from the Music By Numbers report 2020:
• The UK music industry contributed £5.8 billion to the UK economy in 2019 – up 11% from £5.2 billion in 2018.
• Employment in the industry hit an all-time high of 197,168 in 2019 – an increase of 3% from 190,935 in 2018.
• The total export revenue of the music industry was £2.9 billion in 2019 – up 9% from £2.7 billion in 2018.
• In addition to the industry’s direct economic contribution, music tourism alone contributed £4.7 billion in terms of spending to the UK economy in 2019 – up 6% from £4.5 billion in 2018.
Read the full report here.